Apparatus for wrapping and heatsealing packages



M. A. WERTHEIMER March 21, 1961 APPARATUS FOR WRAPPING AND HEAT-SEALING PACKAGES Filed Feb. '7, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 mm mm @mmm uvm. mm

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March 21, 1961 M. A. WERTHEIMER 2,975,572

APPARATUS PoR WRAPPING AND HEAT-SEALING PACKAGES Filed Feb. 7, 1958 5 sheets-sheet 2 INVENTOR. I4/mv I//A THE/MER B mf//s rra/e A/EYS.

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APPARATUS FOR WRAPPING AND HEAT-SEALING PACKAGES Filed Feb. 7, 1958 IN V EN TOR 5 `Sheets-Sheet 3 March 21, 1961 M. A. wERTHExMl-:R 2,975,572

APPARATUS PoR WRAPPING AND HEAT-SEALING PACKAGES Filed Feb. 7, 1958 5 sheets-sheet 4 f//Jl Arran/Erf.

M. A. WERTHEIMER 2,975,572

APPARATUS FOR WRAPPING AND HEAT-SEALING PACKAGES Filed Feb. 7. 1958 March 2l, 1.961

5 Sheets-Sheet 5 2,975,572 Patented Mar. 2l, 1961` APPARATUS FOR WRAPPING AND HEAT- SEALING PACKAGES Milton A. Wertheimer, Rock Island, Ill., assignor to Gellman Manufacturing Co., Rock Island, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Filed Feb. 7, 1958, Ser. No. 713,878

13 Claims. (Cl. 53--206) My invention relates to new and useful improvements inan apparatus for Wrapping and heat-sealing packages and more particularly to an apparatus for packaging foodstuffs, meats, fish, poultry, and produce.

Another object of my invention is in the provision of an apparatus of this character wherein a package is wrapped and heat-sealed with pre-cut sheets of wrapping material.

Yet another object of my invention is the provision in an apparatus of this character of a means for setting the operative parts of the machine to correspond to various sized packages to be wrapped.

i Another and equally important object of my invention is the provision in an apparatus of this character of side heat-sealing position with respect to a package moving through said apparatus.

Another object of my invention is in the provision in a machine of this character of a package moving member which is adapted to operate on assorted types and sizes of packages. i A further object of my invention apparatus of this character of a mechanism for tucking certain corners of said wrapping material about the package to be Wrapped.

Still another object of my invention is the provision in an apparatus of this character of a means for resiliently holding a package that has been wrapped, upon a sealing unit for sealing such wrapped package.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

The invention consists in the novel combination and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter described and claimed.

The invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings showing the preferred form of construction, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective View of my wrapping and sealing` apparatus together with associated pre-wrapping table;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational View of the package track' and moving means together with the side folding members;

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view and continuation of Fig. 2, showing the side sealing units together with the pressure rollers for holding the package upon a bottom sealer;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary perspective View of the package moving mechanism of my apparatus;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary perspective View of the Wrapping corner-tucking members in operative position with respect to the package to be wrapped;

Fig. 6 is a perspective View of one of the side heating units of my invention;

l Fig. 7 is a detail sectional view taken on line 7-7 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing the package after being partially wrapped and sealed on the pre-wrapping table and in condition for placement in my wrapping and sealing apparatus;

is the provision in anA Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a wrapped package;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the package corner tucker in inoperative position;

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the package tucker unit;

Fig. l2 is a rear elevational view of the same;

Fig. 13 is a frontal perspective view of the tucker unit.

My invention is designed to be used with pre-cut sheets of wrapping material, as distinguished from a roll of wrapping material.

I provide a pre-wrapping table 1t) (Fig. l) which affords a wrapping surface which is provided with means for positioning and holding pre-cut sheets of wrapping material within easy reach of the operator of the apparatus. Such pre-cut wrapping sheets 11 are stacked and held by an adjustable clamp 12 on the table top of such table 10. The table 14) also provides a heating unit 13 by which the wrapping material is heat-sealed to the bottom of the package as` shown .in Fig. 8, Sheet l. This preliminary wrapping and sealing operation is manually performed by the operator. Such pre-wrapping provides the package with a complete cover A, partial bottom cover B and oppositely extending triangular shaped end flaps C. After the operator has preliminarily wrapped and sealed the package (shown in Fig. 8), such package is placed in the apparatus on package track members 15 to be hereinafter described.

e The wrapping apparatus consists of an open-top hollow cabinet member 14. Within this cabinet 14 andv adjacent the open top thereof are carried in any suitable manner stationary track members 1S. These track members 15 are supported within the cabinet 14 at one end by a post 16 fixedly carried by an angle iron 17 connected between the side walls of the cabinet 14 in any suitable manner. The opposite ends of thel stationary track members 15-y are supported on an angled member 18 ixedly carried by a horizontal supporting bar 19 positioned between the side walls of the cabinet 14.

Adjacent the top horizontal edges of the cabinet 14 are horizontally extending angle irons 2t? (Fig. 4). Fixedly attached to these angle irons 20 on either side of the inner walls of the cabinet 14 are depending bearing structures 21 and 22. Journalled through these bearingstructures 21 is a partially threaded rod 23. Carried by the free ends of the rod 23 on the outer side of the side walls of the cabinet 14 are wheel handles. 24. Threaded upon the rod 23 are block members 2S :and 26. These block members 25 and 26 are so arranged and the rod 23 is so threaded that by manipulation of either of the turn wheels 24, the blocks 25 and 26 will be moved in opposite directions along the rod 23. The blocks 25 and 26 are fixedly connected to and supported by support members 27 and 28 which are adapted to extend the length of the cabinet 14 within the walls thereof. Fixedly carried by the angle irons 2i) and extending between the side walls of the cabinet 14, is a pivot bar 29, the free ends of the bar 29 being rotatably journalled in bearing members 30 dependently carried by the angle irons 2t) as viewed in Fig. 4.

Slidably journalled on the bar 29 are corner tucking members 31. Each of these tucking members 31 consists of a U-shaped body. The bar 29 is Slidably journalled through the lateral arms 32 of each of the U- shaped members 31 as seen in Figs. 4 and 5. Between such lateral arms 32 of the members 31 and embracing the bar 29 is a coiled spring 33 which is adapted to maintain the corner tucking members 31 in the position shown in Fig. 4.

Attached to the bight portion of the U-shaped members 31 by means of nuts and bolts 20 is a llange member 21 of a hinged wing plate unit 22'. This hinged wing plate unit 22' comprises a wall 23 which has an arcuated leading edge 24 as shown in Figs. 11 and 13.K

Extending laterally =from the wall 23 n a xed relation thereto is a plate 25. This plate is connected to the wall 23 by means of a bracket 26 welded thereto. This plate 25 provides spaced apart lugs 27. A hinged pin 28 is journalled between lugs 27. A hinged wing 29 ispivotally ljournalled on such hinged pin 28". This hinged wing 29 provides a trailing leg 30' whichv terminates into ya cam roller 31. The hinged wing 29 is held in itsnormal position spaced from the plate- 2S' by means of -a spring l32. The purpose of the foregoing will be hereinafter made apparent.

-Fixedly carried by the top portion of each of the block members 25 and 26 is a laterally extending L- shaped finger 34 and a vertically extending cam 34. These-lingers 34 are adapted to be positioned between the lateral arms 32 of the U-shaped bodies of the members 31. vFrom the foregoing, it is apparent that as the block members 25 and 26 move relative to each other by reason ofV rotation of the threaded rod 23, the U-shaped bodies 31 of the corner tucking members will be corre spondingly slid longitudinally along the bar 29.

Suitably journalled between the side Walls of the cabi net 14 intermediate the ends thereof is a shaft 35. Freely journalled on this shaft 35 is a sprocket wheel '36. Operatively connected to this sprocket wheel 36 is an endless chain 37. Y Such chain 37 embraces a like sprocket wheel- 38 carried by a like shaft 39 which is positioned at one end of the cabinet 14. At the opposite end ofV such cabinet 14 and beyond the ends of the stationary track members is another sprocket Wheel (notshown) over which the endless chain 37 passes. The sprocket wheel 36 is rotated by a belt drive 40 which has operative connection to an electric rnotor (not shown).

The chain 37 is so arranged as to be carried beneath and' adjacent the stationary track members 15 as viewed in Figs. 4 and 5. Periodically attached to the chain 37V in any suitable manner are package pusher plates 41. Each package pusher plate 41 includes a package engaging 'back member 42 which will ride on top'of and between the stationary track members 15 as viewed in Figs. 4 andS. Such arrangement is possible as the endless chain 37 carries the pusher plates 41 beyond the end 43 ofthe stationary track members 15 (Fig. 2).

Extending vertically from each of the support members 27 and 28 are pairs of post 44 and 45 (Fig. 2). Each of the posts 44 at their upper end support horizontal guide members 46. These guide members 46 provide a package receiving surface which is in the horizontal plane of the stationary track members 15, as viewed in Figs. 4 and 5. As the support members 27 and 28 are adjust-able relative to each other by their connection with the blocks 25 and 26 and the arrangement hereinbefore described, it is apparent that the guide members 46 `are likewise adjustable relative to each other so that they may correspond to the size of the package to be wrapped and sealed by the machine.

Each of Ithe posts 45 which are lxedly attached to the support members 27 and. 28, carries side folding members `47 and 48. These side folding members 47 and 48 are carried by the posts 45 so that they are above and to either side of stationary track members 15. Each of the members 47 and 48 is provided with a tapered leading edge 49 which is curved laterally in a direction toward the sides of the cabinet 14 as viewed in Figs. 4 and 5. The guide members 46 have their free ends tapered in a direction to correspond to the tapered leading edge 49 of each of the side members 47 and 48, for a purpose to be hereinafter described.

Carried by each of the support members 27 and 28 and' forwardly of the posts 4S, is a Z-shaped supporting member 50. Each of these members 50 hasV a portion thereof extending vertically in horizontal alignment with,

one end of the sidefmembers 47A and 48. as viewed in. Figs. 2 and 3. Adapted to be hung from. the free end portion 51 of these `Z-shaped supporting membersv k50 are.

oppositely disposed corresponding side heating units 52. The construction and operation of these side sealing units 52 will be described hereinafter. Carried -adjacent the ends of the support members 27 and 28 are like blocks 53. These blocks 53 :are journalled on a shaft 54 which is disposed between the side walls of the cabinet 14.

Fixedly attached to the rod 23 so as to be rotated therewith is a sprocket wheel 55. This sprocket wheel 55 is embraced by an endless chain 56 which also embraces a sprocket wheel 54 on the shaft 54. As such, when either of thel wheel handles 24 is rotated, theV rod 23 will be rotated and all the above referredto parts may be adjusted relative to each other to correspond to the size of the package to be wrapped by the apparatus. This is apparent by reason that all of the above referred to par-ts are connected to the support members 27 and 28.

Carried by the chain 37 is a laterally extending pin 57 in a preselected position with respect to theV pusher, plate 41.` This pin 57, as the chain is moved about the sprocket wheels 36 and 38, is adapted to engage a suitable trip lever (not shown) -Xedly connectedy to the support bar 29. Ask such, as the chain 37 continues to rotate in a clockwise direction as seen in Figs. 2 and 3, the pin 57 upon engagement of the trip lever will cause the bar. 29 to be rocked in the direction of movement of the chain 37. The rocking of the bar 29 will in turn cause the pivoting of tucking members 31 and hinged wing plate units 22 so that the latter is opened by the action of the cam roller 31 moving off the cam 34 by reason of the action of the spring 32 on hinging pin 27 and spring 33 on bar 29.

The operation `of the parts heretofore described is as follows:

After the operator has manually sealed the pre-cut sheet 11 upon the bottom of the package as indicated at B in Fig. 8, the package is placed top side up upon the trackV member [15 adjacent the end 43 thereof; The wheel handles 24 are rotated until the guide members 46 embrace either side of the package P.

When the apparatus is so set that. the apparatus is ready to receive a particular sizedpackage, the electric motor (not shown) is energized. Such motor will drive the pulley 40 which in turn will rotate the shaft 35. The shaft 35 will rotate the sprocket wheel 36 so as to cause the chain 37 to rotate in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figs. 2 and 3. As the chain 37 rotates, the pusher plate 41 will come into engagement with the rear surface of the package and push the same over the stationary tracks 15 between the guide members 46. The package. P will thenhe pushed` through the apparatus until the triangular shaped flaps C of the wrapper (Fig. 8) are engaged by the leading edge 49 of the side members 47 and 48. Such tapered and curved leading edge 49 will direct the aps C ofthe wrapper in a downward direction about the sides lof the package P. As the pusher plate 41 continues its movement, the pin 57 associated therewith will engage the trip lever so as to rock the tucker units 31' and hingedwing plate units 22 in a direction toward the package P so that the rear corners of the package will have the wrapper tucked and flaps C will be positioned to be folded under the package.

When the tucker unit 31 has been rocked the edge 24 will engage a portion of the wrapper about the package to the inner side of the leading edge 49 of guide member 46, and make a tuck of such wrapper at the rear corner of the package, so as to position the flaps C to be folded beneath the package P regardless of varying heights of such packages to be wrapped. As the pusher plate 42 continues to pus-h the package P between the side members 47 `and 48, the ilaps of the wrapper are bent downwardly |over such tuck, as viewed in Fig. 5. Y The side units 47 and 48 have their lower edge 61, as viewed in Fig. 2, then gradually bent in a reverse direction with respect to the leading edges 49 thereof, so that thev downwardly extending portion of the wrapper is gradually folded beneath the package as it is continuously pushed between the side units 47 and 48. Such latter folding of the wrapper is accomplished because the guide members 46 terminate at a point beneath the leading edges 49 of such side units 47 and 48, as viewed in Figs. 2, 4 and 5. When, by reason of the curved bottom edges 61 of the side units 47 and 48, the ends of the wrapper are beneath the package P, they are pushed onto a heating unit 62 which comprises the sealing table 63 which is carried by support members 64 and 65 which are in turn supported by angle irons 66 and 67 positioned between the side walls of the cabinet 14, as viewed in Fig. 3.

Referring to Fig. 6, wherein I show one of the side sealing units 52 which are associated with my apparatus, this side sealing unit 52 consists of a block 68 which is adapted to be fastened to the under side of the free end portion 51 of the supporting member 50.

Through the upper portion of the block 68 is journalled a circular rod 69. This rod 69 passes through the circular lbearings 70 and 71 of connecting arms 72. These connecting arms 72 byrmeans of screws 73 carry the side plates 52. The block 68 at the lowermost corners thereof provides depending and laterally extending legs 74. Between one of these legs 74 and one of the arms 72 is a spring 75. Pivotally connected as at 78 to one of the arms 72 is a latch finger 79. This latch finger 79 is provided with a notched-out portion 80 which is adapted to engage a portion of one of the legs 74 when the sealing unit 52 is rotated about the rod 69 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 7, so as to be out of sealing position. Carried by the rear surface and `adjacent one end of the side unit 52, is a handle 81 for facilitating pivoting the unit 52 about the rod 69. When the side unit is not to be used, the handle 81 is pulled iu an upward direction which will pivot the connecting arms 72 about the shaft 69 against the action of the spring 75. The latch finger 74 can then be depressed so that its notchedout portion 80 engages one 'of the legs 74. As such, the side unit is latchcd in a non-operative position. When its operation is again required, merely by lifting the latch finger 79, the spring 75 will pivot the side unit 52 into sealing position. The side unit 52 is provided with a suitable electrical connector 82 for connection with an electrical supply source.

The reason the side sealing units 52 are pivotally connected to this apparatus as hereinbefore described, is that in many instances they are not required because the package to be wrapped and sealed (unlike that illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9) comprises no more than a shallow tray with no substantial side surfaces and therefore there is no necessity of having side Sealers.

Fixedly carried by the cabinet 14 "and extending thereabove `are side posts 83. The upper free ends of the side posts 83 are connected together by a cross arm 84. Extending laterally from the cross arm 84 are a plurality of bent arms 85. These -arms 85 provide 'a support for a member 86 upon which is journalled a plurality of package engaging rollers 87. These package engaging rollers 87 are directly above and in spaced relation to the bottom sealing unit 62 of the table 63 as viewed in Fig. 3. The free end of the member 86 is yieldably supported by a chain 88 which has its opposite end carried by a cross arm 89 which is hingedly supported by arms 90 as viewed in Fig. 1. The arms 85 are adjusted for package height variations by a common `eccentric cam i mounted on the cross ann 84. This cam is equipped with a suitable handle 84 to facilitate rotation thereof. A further adjustment is accomplished by manually rotating the cross arm 89 about its hinged connection to the arms 90. These rollers 37 are thus yieldably positioned above the heating unit 62 and by the weight thereof upon the top surface of the package as it passes thereunder, will assure la positive contact between the wrapper and the 6 sealing unit 62, so that by such arrangement the wrapper is securely `sealed about the package (see Fig. 9).

The wrapper employed in this machine is of the heatsensitive variety, in that by applying heat thereto, it becomes sealed to an adjoining surface of the wrapper.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred form of construction for carrying my invention into effect, this is capable of variation and modification without departing from the spirit of the invention. I, therefore, do not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction set forth, but desire to avail myself of such variations and modifications as come within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

l. An apparatus for nishing the wrapping and sealing of a partially wrapped package in a pre-cut sheet of wrapping material comprising a horizontally extending track, means for continuously moving said partially wrapped package over said track, means for partially folding the Wrapper about certain sides of said package as it is moved over said track by said moving means, means cooperating with and actuated by said moving means for tucking certain portions of the partially folded wrapper at a predetermined point of movement of said package over said track into facial abutment with certain corners of said package prior to the complete folding of the wrapper about the sides of said package, means for completing the folding of said wrapper over said certain sides and over said certain corners and into facial abutment with the bottom of said package, and means for sealing said folded wrapper about said package.

2. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the sealing means includes a package bottom sealer and a package side sealer positioned in the path of movement of said package through said apparatus.

3. The apparatus as defined in claim l further characterized by the inclusion of means for guiding said package over said track and into operative engagement with said folding and sealing means.

4. The apparatus as defined in claim 1' further characterized by the inclusion of means for simultaneously adjusting said folding means, said tucking means and said sealing means relative to said track to wrap and seal packages of various sizes and shapes.

5. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 further characterized by the inclusion of means for guiding said pack-age over said track and into operative engagement with said folding and sealing means, and means for simultaneously adjusting said folding means, said tucking means, said -guiding means and said sealing means relative to said track to wrap and seal packages of Various sizes and shapes.

6. An apparatus for finishing the wrapping and sealing of a partially wrapped package in a pre-cut sheet of wrapping material comprising a horizontally extending track, a package pusher operatively related to said track and movable into engagement With a portion of the package placed on said track so as to move the same through said apparatus, an endless chain member for continuously moving said pusher through said apparatus and over said track, means for partially folding the wrapper about certain sides of said package as it is moved over said track by said pusher, corner tucking mem-bers carried by said apparatus pivotal about a horizontal axis, means cooperating with said pusher for pivoting said corner tucking members in one direction about a horizontal axis for tucking certain portions of said partially folded wrapper at a predetermined point of movement of said package over said track into facial abutment with certain corners of said package prior to the complete folding of the wrapper about the sides of said package, means for completing the folding of said wrapper' over said certain sides and over said certain corners and into facial abutment with the bottom of said package,v 'and means for sealing said folded wrapper about said package.

7. The apparatus defined in, claim lwherein the sealing means includes a package bottom sealer and a package side sealer positioned in the path of movement of said package through said apparatus.

8. The apparatus as defined in claim 6 further characterized by the inclusion of means for guiding said package over said track and into operative engagement Withsaidv folding and sealing means.

9. The apparatus as defined in claim 6 further characterized by the inclusion of means for simultaneously adjusting said folding means, said corner tucking members, and said sealing means relative to said track to wrap andf seal packages of various sizes and shapes.

10; The apparatusv as defined in claim 6 further characterized by the inclusion of means for guiding said package over said. track and into operative engagement with said folding and sealing means, and means for simultaneously adjusting said folding means, said corner tucking members, said guiding means and said sealing means relative to said track to Wrap and seal packages of various sizes and shapes.

11. An apparatus for finishing the wrapping and sealing of a partially Wrapped lpackage in a pre-cut sheet of Wrapping material comprising a horizontally extending track, a package pusher plate loperatively related to said track. and movable into engagement With a portion of a package placed on said track to move the same through said' apparatus, means for continuously moving said pusher platey through said apparatus and over said track, means for folding the Wrapper about certain sides of said package as it is moved by said pusher plate over said track,` means for tucking said wrapper. about certain corners of said package as said Wrapper is folded about said certain sides of said package, means carried by said pusher plate moving means for actuating said tucking means at a predetermined time relative to the folding of said lwrapper about said certain sides of said package, means for folding said wrapper over said corner tucks and into facial abutment with the bottom of said package, and means 4for sealing said folded wrapper about said package.

12. The apparatus `as defined in claim 11 wherein the sealingV means includes a package bottom sealer and a package side sealer positioned in the path of movement of said package through said apparatus. Y

13. The apparatus as dened in claim 11 further characterized by the inclusion of means yieldably engaging said package land cooperating with said sealing means for maintaining said package `in a positive position with respect to said sealing means to assure proper sealing thereof.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,111,379 Hahn Sept. 22, 1914 1,159,934 Haas et al. Nov. 9, 1915 2,050,268 Bronander Aug. 11, 1936 2,132,546 Smith Oct. 11, 1938 2,153,483 Rose Apr. 4, 1939 2,367,160 werden Jan. 9, 1945' 2,605,597 Scheib Aug. 5, 1952 2,617,240 Monaco Nov. 1l, 1952 2,805,533 Holstebroe Sept. 10, 1957 

